1 










r p s^ 


i 
j 


. \> J u it I S ~ 

A.JL 


^jvb^A 


up 


S YOUNG 





^j 




Class _ 

Bookj2k\5i 

Go0rightM?_A2L£U_ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



Thoughts in Verse 



by / 
DUNCAN FRANCIS YOUNG 



THE 



Bbbcy press 

PUBLISHERS 

114 

FIFTH AVENUE 

Condon NEW YORK Montreal 



•- • • 



* • 



•-• •*• 



THE LIBRARY OF 

CONGRESS, 
Two Copies Received 

MAY. 18 1901 

Copyright entry 
CLASS ^XXc. N» 

copy a 



J 



T^^l- 






1^ 



Copyright, 19*1, 

by 

DUNCAN FRANCIS YOUNG. 



All Rights Reserved 



TO MY PRECIOUS LITTLE DAUGHTER, 

FRANKLYN PARKER YOUNG, 

FOUR YEARS OF AGE, 

THE PERSONIFICATION OF LOVE, THE LIGHT OF MY LIFE, 

THE ACME OF MY JOY, 

THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED. 



— 




7 *-.. >//- // ,'/ 




BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE 

Duncan Francis Young was born in Cov- 
ington, Louisiana, July 20, 1862, the youngest son 
of Benjamin F. and Martha A. Young. His 
mother was a Louisianian, his father a Virgin- 
ian, coming to Louisiana in 1840. The subject 
of this sketch received his early education by 
private tuition, afterward attending public school 
in New Orleans; but early in life, his father dy- 
ing, he was compelled to go to work, selecting the 
printer's trade, which he followed in its various 
ramifications for upward of fifteen years. In 
1805 he became a bank cashier, which position 
he now holds. 

THE PUBLISHERS. 



PREFACE 

In launching this unpretentious volume upon 
the tempestuous sea of public opinion it is done 
with a full knowledge of its unworthiness to be 
placed alongside the literary efforts of poets of 
days gone by. But I have felt, I must say in be- 
half of my action, that there was a field for just 
such a work at this particular time — a time when 
the newspapers of the day fairly teem with 
poetic (?) efforts. 

It has been said that poets are born — not made. 
Better far to say poets are born, then made. And 
better, too, that a poet be made than born and not 
made. 

While the author lays no claim to originality, 
nor does he presume to pose as a poet, either born 
or made, these efforts are born of sentimentality, 
constructed, crude though they be, after pat- 
terns made by most thorough and expert work- 
men — poets of repute. Rhyme and rhythm have 



Preface 

been closely attended to, and, though the words 
used were the best at the author's command, and 
though they shimmer not with brightness, if the 
pent-up thoughts of the author are half so nearly 
comprehended as they existed in the writer's 
mind, this effort will not indeed have been in 
vain. D. F. Y. 

Amite City, La., August, 1900. 



CONTENTS 



PAGB 

Ben, the Sage of Bantia (In Five Cantos) 7 

The Fireman 20 

Again 22 

Friendship 23 

Hope 25 

In An Album 26 

Wouldst Thou Still Forget ? 27 

Louisiana or Lottery 29 

Kohn's Fall 30 

Is This Love ? 32 

The Effort's as Good as the Deed 33 

An Ode to Winter 34 

Discarded 36 

In Woodlands , 37 

Hell and New Orleans 38 

I'm Saddest When I Ring 39 

That Will-o'-the-Wisp Award 40 

It's at College, You Know 42 

A Meteor 43 

The Little Pest 44 

Order, Arms! 45 

Precious One 46 

The Banker's Prayer 47 



Notes. 



49 



THOUGHTS IN VERSE 



Ben, the Sage of Bantia 
CANTO I 

THE MORNING OF LIFE 

(Genesis xxxvii. 36.) 
I. 

The gentle zephyrs softly blow, 
The lazy herdsman layeth low, 
The sun is shining brightly now, 
The birds are singing on the bough ; 
For youth and pleasure vaunteth here, 
And naught but laughter brings a tear. 

11. 

To Ben his life is morning now, 

The flush of youth surrounds his brow, 

7 



Ben, the Sage of Bantia 

Unlike the zephyrs, which doth blow, 
His whistle pulsates loud and low; 
For he is loved by man and beast, 
He loveth all — as well the least. 



8 



Ben, the Sage of Bantia 



CANTO E 

TROUBLES ACCUMULATE 
I. 

There're Frank and John, and Albert, too, 
And other brothers Ben did claim 

(Who sought to help him with his herd), 
Yet brothers were they but in name ; 

For jealous they became of him 

And sought his life upon a limb. 



II. 



The would-be fratricides did fail 
Their hellish purpose to attain, 

For cravens that they proved to be, 
Ben's life to him did yet remain; 

But worse than all, a slave was he — 

His father he no more might see. 



Ben, the Sage of Bantia 
in. 

His death had been of lighter form 
Than what was placed in store for him, 

For he is tempted by Black Prince, 
Who proves his guilt of charges grim ; 

And he is thrown into the jail 

Without the benefit of bail. 



JO 



Ben, the Sage of Bantia 

canto m 

BEN DISPLAYS INTELLIGENCE 

(Genesis xli. 1-57.) 

I. 

Down in the land of Bantia, 
There where the poppies grew, 

Harvesting was forsaken, 
Naught did men try to do. 

11. 

Man in his greed for plenty 

Frequently fails to see 
Cogwheels of toil get blunted, 

Worked beyond right or fee. 

in. 

Ben saw the trend of fortune — 
Saw that the rich and poor, 

Fighting against each other — 
Meagreness would be sure. 

II 



Ben, the Sage of Bantia 

IV. 

He had become trustworthy; 

Favored by Acis, king, 
Those who had worked most justly 

Fruits of their toil did bring. 

v. 

Tendering them in friendship, 
Over their actual wants, 

Much of the good things hoarded, 
Bringing on Ben vile taunts. 

|j * * * * * 

VI. 

Bantia was ruled by Acis; 

Midst plenty he was kind; 
Famine now swept o'er Bantia, 

Victims he sought to find. 

VII. 

Ben was at once commanded 
Toward the king to make 

Prophecies that would offer 
Famines like this to break. 

\2 



Ben, the Sage of Bantia 

VIII. 

Hastening up to Acis, 

Brazenly stirs Black Prince, 
Trying once more his power, 

Slowly Ben's heart to mince. 

IX. 

Ben on the fact is questioned 
Whether they all would die; 

Over to Acis turned he 
Everything he'd laid by. 

j^ *f* ^* »f» 

(Genesis xl. 23.) 



Here in this land of plenty 
Acis must make amends; 

Down in the land of Bantia 
Lifeless Black Prince depends. 



13 



Ben, the Sage of Bantia 



CANTO IV 

(Genesis xlii. 1-38.) 
I. 

Ben's father long had mourned for him 

As dead to all this life, 
And for his sons who with him stayed, 

His heart with love was rife. 



11. 



The famine 'round broad Bantia land 

Extended into Nod, 
Whose household after food and clothes, 

To Bantia had to plod. 

in. 

Ben's father, who was Abraham, 

His eldest son did send, 
To Bantia for some provender, 

As far as to the end. 

J4 



Ben, the Sage of Bantia 

IV. 

When John and Frank their mission told 

To Ben, of Acis' staff, 
He placed them both in durance vile, 

The bitter cup to quarl. 



When father Abr'am heard of this, 
His heart was sorely tried — 

"Alas ! thou, too, my sons !" 
W r ith bitterness he cried. 



VI. 



But bread is scarce and must be had, 
And straightway sendeth he 

Two more of stout and healthy build, 
Across the deep blue sea. 

VII. 

With fear to Ben these brothers come, 
They, too, did ask for bread — 

"How dost thy father without thee !" 
With sternness this he said. 

*5 



Ben, the Sage of Bantia 

VIII. 

"He suffers .much for others' sins," 
Said both with aching hearts — 

"Then, suffer thou," with firmness spake, 
This man of better parts. 

IX. 

He placed them with the other two, 

To suffer quiet pain, 
While suffered more than either one, 

The father 'cross the main. 



x. 



There is an inborn pow'r in man, 
Which ev'ry one well knows ; 

The heart is aching for our sins, 
It bleeds for others' woes. 

XI. 

We know not why nor wherefore this, 

We have it to compare, 
For of the sway of those who're dead, 

We surely are aware. 

i6 



Ben, the Sage of Bantia 



CANTO V 

GOOD FOR EVIL 

(Genesis xlv. i.) 

I. 

The father learns with deep regret 
The fate of his two boys ; 

He goes on there to be with them, 
In sorrow as in joys. 



II. 



He comes to Ben ; he knoweth not 

That he is, too, his son, 
For though he loved the other boys, 

He ne'er forgot this one. 

17 



Ben, the Sage of Bantia 
in. 

He speaks to Ben with trembling voice, 

And tells him of his loss; 
How many, many years he's had 

To meekly bear the cross. 



IV. 



'I beg, oh, sir, I'm suffered placed 
In bondage by the side 

Of children of my happy days, 
Kind sir!" the father cried. 



(Genesis xlvii.) 



y. 



These punished men are tendered now, 

Before this king of men, 
Upon whose throne, close to his side, 

Was sternly sitting Ben. 

18 



Ben, the Sage of Bantia 



VI. 



"Go, thou," proclaims this kindly man, 
"And with thy kinsmen live, 

And in and out of Bantia go, 
A share of which I give.'' 



VII. 



The son steps down from off the throne, 

And falls upon the neck 
Of father, brother ; each in turn 

With kisses tears they check. 

189S 



19 



The Fireman 

The night is dark and drear, 

No moon, no stars lift up their eyes 

To guide the footman on, 

While winds give forth low, deep drawn sighs. 



The quiet night is 'sturbed 

By peals (as mocking peace) wild, deep, 
And loud, from firebells, 

Awaking us to flame's fell sweep. 



Awake, bold fireman! Aye, 

And hie thyself to danger's brink — 

To save the lives and homes 

Of weak and weary never shrink. 

And though thy deeds so brave 
Are held not on the lips of fame, 

Some true friends still remain, 
Who will fore'er recall thy name. 

20 



The Fireman 

And on thy tombstones spread, 

Thy worthy deeds in life's hard fight- 

Thy courage, staunch and pure, 

Ne'er shrinking in cold danger's sight. 

1885. 



21 



Again 

I crave the days long passed away, 
Those days once fraught with glee ; 

I romp'd, and skipp'd, and gayly leap'd 
Upon the felt-like lea. 

Where bright as gold the mill-stream flowed 

I boldly waded out, 
And chased about among the rocks 

Some tiny little trout. 

I see the fields, all green with grain, 
The barn where "Nig" was kept; 

The old schoolhouse (which is no more), 
Lessons o'er which I've wept. 

A thought of these is yet sublime, 

And with each thought is fetched a tear — 

A tear which takes away all pain, 
And brightens every care. 

Ah ! still I sigh for the old home — 

The joys of youthtime's years; 
But all are passed, and when recalled, 

Are met by present cares. 

1886. 

22 



Friendship 

'Tis a token — friendship's token 
(Ah, friendship true in deed! 

'Tis a tie that's never broken) — 
Of one a friend in need. 

'Tis a token — friendship's foster, 

A trinket e'er so rare, 
Which I hold in mem'ry's roster; 

I look and touch with care. 

'Tis o'er this that now I ponder, 
I look on it with cheer ; 

As it follows where I wander 
It tells of one who's dear. 



Oh, to live without our giving — 
Without some loved one near — 

It were best we were not living ; 
'Twere best we were not here. 

23 



Friendship 

Thus I bide in friendship's bower; 

To man I owe a friend; 
Thus, of man I claim his power, 

So I my aid do lend. 

1887. 



24 






Hope 

For what live we if not on hope? 

Else why, when fortune fails to smile, 
And sickness, death and mis'ry's dearth 

Crowd 'round and press us the while, 
To life do we cling? 

And what to us would this world be 
With all its crimes and untold faults; 

With taunts and torments unfolded, 
With stubborn trade and vicious halts — 
Were it not for hope? 

The man condemned to die at noon 
With patience waits to hear the word 

Which gives to him his wish — reprieve — 
"To life in prison!" who's not heard, 
"Yet 'tis sweet to live I" 

1888. 



25 



In An Album 

You ask that a line may be written 

By which my name of me will you remind. 

Does this, I do wonder, to me pertain ? 
If so, from you to me 'tis most unkind. 

Oh, is there naught in mem'ry's roster 
To picture me when far, far from thee? 

Recall the rambles thro' pines and green woods — 
Do these, I say, not fetch a thought of me ? 

My task : The whistling pines of Beef Branch, 
Tho' touched by winter's blasts, may creak and 
sigh; 

The limpid water of Abita 

In stagnant puddles be forced to lie ; 

The sound of ox-bells be hushed fore'er, 

The night no longer know the whip-poor-will, 

The gay old picnics we'll have no more, 
Yet, fair friend, will I remember thee still ! 

1889. 

26 



Wouldst Thou Still Forget 

How ca: if you forget 

The one you've learned to lov 
Whose face is by in morning's light 

As true as coos the dove? 
For now you say that you do love 

In language bright as gold; 
'Tis that object pure, divine, 

Prepared by nature's mold. 

And still you ask that you forget 

The winsome face which strays 
At each approach of eventide, 

And sadly *bout you stays. 
His eyes are pictured in the coals 

"Which moulder in the grate 
And draw your thoughts upon them there, 

And yet you would him hate ! 

And still you ask that you forget 

The face that comes at night 
And hovers Txjut you in your dreams — 

Forever in your sight. 

27 



Wouldst Thou Still Forget 

How can you, love, forget the one 
You say you love so well ? 

He comes about so earnestly — 
He loves you — who can tell? 

1890, 



28 



Louisiana or Lottery 

Alcibiades a soldier was, 
With laurels, too, and great, 

And to his cause came brave and true 
And placed with him their fate. 

And not alone did men converge ; 

Timea, too, did yield 
To him her honor, trust and all, 

Such power did he wield. 

But now his pompous prestige waned, 
And scourged from Athens' shore, 

As villains fall they deeply go, 
He Sparta knew no more. 

Debarred and chased, but clinging yet, 
This Grecian Lord of Lust 

(While poor Timea suffered still) 
Returned to kindred dust. 

1890. 

29 



Kohn's Fall 

Our hist'ry fails to tell about a wondrous sight I 
saw 
But lately 'mongst magnolias, oaks and pine 
trees gaunt and tall, 
So list to me, I'll tell you, mark ! record forever- 
more 
The seething foam and bubbles, chasing, tum- 
bling o'er Kohn's Fall. 

Along the Little Boguefalaya river's banks 

The winds of March cavorted, sighing, whis- 
tling wild and strong, 
I chanced to walk one eventide in search of rest 
and ease, 
And found these madding rapids flowing may- 
be e'er so long. 

From Covington a mile I went — a very little 
more — 
And near the Military road I heard the whoo- 
owl's call. 

30 



Kohn's Fall 

I searched for him — I looked for him — I looked 
both high and low — 
I could not see the whoo-owl, but the erst- 
while unknown fall. 

I have but little more to say, and that both short 
and quick, 
For hist'ry tells its tale, I trow, in words both 
short and neat. 
O'er Little Boguefalaya river Kohn once tried to 
cross, 
The fall of which I tell you was the water o'er 
his feet. 

1891. 



31 



Is This Love 

What causes me at eventide — 

When the sun casts lengthened rays, 

The whip-poor-will gives forth its lay 
As on trembling limbs it sways. 

In summer's gladsome morning sun, 
In the winter's chilly breeze, 

In springtime's cheering infancy, 
At the falling of the leaves — 

What causes me, in sylvan glade, 
When the moon comes peeping in, 

And pictures every kind of scene 
As the things that might have been ? 

I hear the rippling of the brook, 
Or the cooing of the dove — 

What causes me to think of thee? 
Canst thou tell me — is it love ? 

1893. 



32 



The Effort's as Good as the Deed 

What matters it if after all * 

I do not win? 
What blame is there if failure comes 

And finds me in ? 
What more would you, if forced to yield 

To Moloch's pow'r, 
If battle I, but all in vain, 

Yet do not cow'r? 

1894. 



33 



An Ode to Winter 

I love you, winter, love you ; 

I love your cheerless breeze, 
I love your change of weather 

Because it makes one sneeze. 



I love your tingling raindrops, 
I love your piercing sleet, 

Because it makes you feel good 
Whene'er you warm your feet. 

I love you, winter, love you ; 

I love you 'cause you're bad ; 
I love you, winter, love you; 

You suit us when we're sad. 



I love you, winter, love you ; 

For when your life is past, 
Just like a ray of sunshine 

Comes charming spring at last. 

34 



An Ode to Winter 

I love you, winter, love you ; 

Because you're like this life — 
To reach our home up yonder 

We're bound to pass thro' strife. 

1895. 



35 



Discarded 

Farewell, my fondest hopes, farewell ; 

Life's pleasures have departed; 
I've seen the wane of fairest days 

I would not have retarded. 

Farewell, my fondest hopes, farewell ; 

Naught else is now regarded; 
Life's sweetest bliss is spilled for me, 

For I've just been discarded. 

1895- 



36 



In Woodlands 

I love to be in woodlands 
And hear the tinkling bell, 

The thoughts that then rise in me 
No tongue of man can tell. 

I love to be in woodlands 
And hear the songsters' lay, 

No matter if 'tis autumn 
Or in the month of May. 

I love to be in woodlands, 
Afar from cares and strife — 

I know our Father lives there, 
Amid such joyous life. 

1894. 



37 



Hell and New Orleans 

I rode behind the iron horse 

Into the Southern land, 
And while I heard and seemed to see 

The moving of a hand, 
A man arose, with might and main, 

And briefly thus he spoke : 
"The fires of hell are waiting thee, 

The jaws of death thy cloak. 
Beware ! Return while yet there's time, 

For God just now regleans !" 
The door was slammed and someone said 

"All out for New Orleans !" 

1894. 



38 



Pm Saddest When I Ring 

[Suggested on seeing an old belled cow on the street 
on the day of an election, which it was thought would 
evict stock from the corporation limits.] 

As slowly walked the old belled cow 

Along Extension street 
She seemed to sadly pick her way 

Amidst the frozen sleet. 

The hollow sound the old bell gave 
Some solace seemed to bring, 

Yet as she left the old bell said, 
"I'm saddest when I ring." 

February, 1894. 



39 



That Will-o'-the-wisp Award 

Dramatis Persona: — B. F. Catching, J. S. Beasley, J. 
S. Decell, G. W. Cooper, J. W. Didlake, members of the 
board of supervisors ; J. L. Ramsey, lawyer and cousin 
of M. (otherwise Bud) Spencer, editor of M eteor^ and 
D. F. Young, editor of Signal. 

"The job ! the job ! aha ! my all ! 

'Tis life or death to me ! 
The county printing get for me, 

Dear cous., I 'peal to thee." 

He thought it Beas(t)ley one so Young, 

Who Spent so much for this, 
Should lose a chance of making fame — 

No, no ! he'd not this miss. 

And Catching straws the cousin fights — 

With vict'ry proudly walks ; 
He reads the law, the cold, stern law, 

And wondrously he talks. 

No contest made, the law Rams he 

Into the members' ears — 
"Do sell," says one, "the job to him, 

Else soon he'll be in tears." 

40 



That Will-o'-the-wisp Award 

And ne'er Did lake more tears contain 
Than welled into Bud's eyes — 

The motion passed — the job was his — 
Relief expressed in sighs. 

And now it "pears to those who think 
That ne'er did Cooper dread 

The irksome task of putting hoops 
Ton such a swollen head. 

1894. 



41 



It's at College, You Know 

There once was seen among the trees 
Which skirt old Bayou Pierre 

A youngster wild and grim and drear 
Who slept on grasses seer. 

One time some hunters chanced to camp 

Beneath a tall old tree — 
The fire's embers burning low 

Drew Jocko down to see. 

He stuck his tail beneath the coals, 
Perhaps to see if they were warm, 

And presently he found them hot 
And raised a mighty storm. 

The hunters 'woke and captured him — 

No longer could he climb; 
His tail was burned, his power gone — 

And caged him for all time. 

1893. 

42 



A Meteor 

I stood upon a mighty hill, 

Where stars were brightly beaming, 
Was startled by an awful sight — 

The heavens seemed all gleaming. 

A little star, more bold than wise, 
Laid out to cheat its brothers, 

And through the air it cut its way 
And fairly dimmed the others. 

'Twas but a moment it remained ; 

Its lustre soon was banished ; 
The other stars gave forth their light, 

While none knew one had vanished. 

1893. 



43 



The Little Pest 

I 5 ve seen the noted wild horse fly, 

I've seen the cow herd flee, 
I've seen the turtle as it dove, 

I've seen the honey bee, 
I've seen the limpid water flow, 

I've seen the chimney flue, 
I've heard the winds play hide and seek 

As turkey feathers flew. 
I've seen the bright fawn-faced dear 

Across the felt-like lea, 
But pokey it in point of speed 

If paced with Mister Flea. 

1895. 



44 



Order, Arms 

'Tis but a little faded flower 
On long dead soldiers' graves ; 

It tells we have not lost to thought 
Our dead and gallant braves. 

'Tis but a rotting, tumbling board 
That marks the place of rest 

Of many brave and gallant "boys" 
In homespun clothing dressed. 

Then mark the spot where now he lies ; 

Keep green his valor, fame; 
We know he was his country's friend — 

Unknown his home and name. 

1894. 



45 



Precious One 

If my pen were more facile 

And my thoughts were more bright, 
Td petition thee, precious, 

To be first in thy sight. 

At thy bidding I'd bend, then, 

I would do but for thee ; 
I'd fond hopes nurture, darling, 

If you loved none but me. 

But the stars up in heaven, 
Like thee, are far from me; 

As they gaze at me, winking, 
They remind me of thee. 



46 



The Banker's Prayer 

In yonder sky of deepest blue 
(My Fiscal Agent up on high) 

I've placed on pledge my note of hand, 
Which I'll redeem the day I die. 

I'll give to Him no overdraft, 

But drafts that 're drawn on credit here- 
Collafral for my acts of good 

And hopes for all to me most dear. 



Oh, Lord, on high, I pray of you 
To me you'll ope your record book, 

That when this life I shall exchange 
Upon what page I then may look. 

May deeds of mine Thy interest draw, 
My coin discount for realms on high; 

Without protest record me there — 
My home which money cannot buy. 

47 



The Banker's Prayer 

Deposit all do I with Thee, 

That when on me Thou placest life's check 
I'll know I'm safe up in that Bank 

Which hands of mortal cannot wreck. 



48 



Notes 



Ben, the Sage of Bantia 

Canto I — Can there be a more beautiful picture, or 
can mind be brought to bear upon a happier scene, than 
gamboling children in pastoral pleasures on a pleasant 
day in springtime? 

Canto II — While jealousy existed in the time of 
Joseph, it seems to have lost none of its energy by the 
lapse of time. Perhaps the lesson meant to have been 
taught has never been thoroughly comprehended, owing, 
possibly, to the fact that Joseph's brothers were not 
promptly and severely punished. But the lesson, on 
sober second thought, shows us that "though the mills 
of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small." 
A peculiar thing in reference to Joseph's persecution is 
a truism in another part of the Bible which says, "For 
whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth." Is there any- 
thing strange in that? Can you not withstand more 
from one whom you love than some one else? Do you 
not expect more from one whom you love than from 
some one else? 

Canto III — Here we witness the difference between a 

49 



Notes 

miser and a spendthrift. It is quite evident that it was 
never any more intended that a man should throw away 
his money in order that he might die poor than that he 
should hoard that he might die rich. Joseph, in his 
proper economy, was able to bestow something where 
needed, and displays the proper motive in so doing. 
Joseph is not shown to be a prophet, capable of miracles, 
but portrays the intelligence and forethought which 
should exist in every man. The conclusion of this 
stanza does not expatiate, but leaves the mind clear to 
draw conclusions as to the fate of him who errs seri- 
ously. 

Canto IV — Here we find a lesson of patience. Tried 
beyond patience, Jacob does not lose faith, but "by the 
sweat of his brow," as it were, goes into Pharaoh's land 
under a darkened sky, to find at last all bright and fair. 

Canto V — This lesson of charity, which we find in 
Joseph's kindness at last toward his erring brethren, 
displays a beautiful spirit of forgiveness, which might 
be practiced to great advantage in this age of civiliza- 
tion. 

The Fireman 

At the time this piece was written the Volunteer 
Fire Department was in existence in the city of New 
Orleans. The members of the department, for obvious 
reasons, were regarded generally as a very rough and 
rowdy class of people, notwithstanding which the writer, 
believing that that which belonged to Caesar should be 
given unto Caesar, indited the above, and had the flat- 
tering satisfaction of being complimented by some sub- 
stantial citizens for the sentiment expressed therein. 

50 



Notes 

Again 

Before the Civil War there resided at a place called 
Mortee's Mill, on the Boguefalaya River, about four 
miles from the town of Covington, La., a wealthy 
family, who lived in luxury. Near the banks of the 
river, facing the mill, stood the magnificent dwelling, a 
story and a half structure, high off the ground. When 
visited by the writer years after the family had died or 
become poor in this world's goods, as a result of the 
fortunes of war, a most perfect scene of desolation 
was witnessed. The doors of the old house were gone, 
and the goats and other animals sought shelter in the 
beautiful parlor and bedrooms of former days. In the 
river in front a few sills and posts were all that re- 
mained of the mill that once stood there, a means of 
occupation rather than of business. Here and there the 
little stream formed cataracts, and as the waters bub- 
bled along they seemed to utter a requiem o'er the gaye- 
ties that had reigned in the old house just up on the 
hill. The writer having known some of the former 
occupants of that old edifice, the scene contemplated 
was a sad one to him indeed. 



Friendship 

The writer was, very early in life, much impressed 
by Goldsmith's poem, 

"What is friendship but a name, 
A charm that lulls to sleep" 

5J 



Notes 

especially after meeting with a number of friends who 
proved to be such in name only; but after finding sev- 
eral who were friends in deed he realized that friend- 
ship was a principle at least, and so recognized by the 
intelligent, for no one is so independent that he may 
not need friendly offices at some time, and to expect 
them he should do unto others as he would they would 
do unto him , 

Hope 

The writer was acquainted with a harum-scarum 
young man who loved whiskey better than work. Dur- 
ing a drunken spree this young man got into trouble, 
which appeared to him, on sobering up, to be more 
horrible than it ultimately proved to be. As the say- 
ing goes, "he took to the woods," surrendering only on 
the day of his trial. The writer interested himself in 
the young renegade's behalf, and had the satisfaction 
of seeing him acquitted. Walking along a lonely road 
some distance from town that day the young man, 
though he had not actually been in prison, remarked : 
"I have never seen the sun shine so brightly as it does 
to-day. I shall never do anything to cause me to be 
placed behind prison walls." And though many years 
have elapsed since then, he has kept his word. 

In An Album 

This scene lies in the parish of St. Tammany, La., 
the names mentioned being those of a brook and a river 
traversing the pine belt of that section, where birds 

52 



Notes 

found their nests and the beasts of burden (oxen) 
quenched their thirst. In those days all hauling was 
done by oxen, and when the day's work was done, and 
the beasts (belled, to find them) were turned out to 
graze the early hours of the stilly night were disturbed 
by the music of these bells. 

Wotildst Thou Still Forget 

This was a suggestion to a lovesick maiden on the 
verge of committing suicide, believing that it would 
reinstate hopes, and thereby give her an opportunity to 
recover. As the newspapers of the day failed to record 
the culmination of the lady's desire, it has been thought 
the suggestion had the desired effect, and is therefore 
given to posterity as an antidote in such cases. 

Louisiana or Lottery 

This was written during the bitter Anti-Lottery cam- 
paign of 1890, being a succinct application of a chapter 
in Grecian history to Louisiana and the Lottery. 

Kohn's Fall 

Little Boguefalaya is a diminutive stream which flows 
into the Boguefalaya at Covington, the county seat of 
St. Tammany Parish, La. The writer one day, strolling 
along the banks of the little stream, espied a sign nailed 
to a tree reading, "Kohn's Falls." Going down to in- 
vestigate, the river was found to be about three feet 
wide, and seeing no comparison with Niagara, it was 

53 



Notes 

concluded that Herr Von Kohn must have "put his 
foot in it." 



Is This Love 

Any one who has gone through this period of bitter 
sweetness can answer this question, for 'tis said that 
love knows no master ; hence it is not surprising that he 
should force his companionship upon one in season and 
out of season. 

The Effort's as Good as the Deed 

Is not the gift of continuance a virtue? Is not per- 
sistence the mother of success? Would that more 
would applaud the effort, then might we hope more for 
the deed. 

An Ode to Winter 

This was original, born of sentiment keenly felt; but 
the writer felt his weakness when, a short time after 
publication, a young lady friend began to recite "I am 
dying, Egypt, dying," and he realized for the first time 
that the style was unintentional plagiarism. 

Discarded 

This was one of the few innocent flirtations of the 
writer, and written after he had learned that the one 
with whom he had been flirting was herself a flirt. 

54 



Notes 

la "Woodlands 

The writer has frequently wished that he could ex- 
press in words half what he felt with regard to rustic 
scenery, having often gone to some secluded spot in far 
off woodlands to seek peace and quiet, and there com- 
mune with nature, in which he has found so much to 
prove the existence of God, our Heavenly Father. 

Hell and New Orleans 

The writer spent about fifteen of the most bitter years 
of his life in New Orleans, La., where he met many ad- 
versities and little congeniality and very little sympathy ; 
but the years which have passed since then have caused 
to be minimized very materially his feelings toward the 
place, and he is free to admit now that there might be 
other places as warm as New Orleans. 

I'm Saddest When I Ring 

On a bitter cold day in the month of February, 
while an election was being held throughout the coun- 
ty for and against keeping one's stock within an en- 
closure, the writer was walking along a street in the 
little town of Hazlehurst, Miss., and was struck by 
the unusual sight of seeing a belled cow grazing along 
the street of the town. 

That Will-o'-the-wisp Award 

The writer was the editor of a paper to which the 
county printing had been awarded, which, as it was 

55 LofC. 



Notes 

afterward learned, was not according to the strict letter 
of the law. The award being properly revoked and 
made over to a rival paper, this effort was a parting 
shot. 



It's at College, Yott Know 

The subject of this item was a resident of a section 
called by the town boys "the sticks." He was unknown 
to the writer, having been sent away to college before 
the writer ascended the editorial tripod of the leading 
county paper. Sending back to this leading paper in 
question a communication tending to make little of the 
qualifications of said leading paper, said communication 
was made to act as a boomerang by the editor, which 
provoked a reply from the youngster at college, and this 
effort followed. It appears that this effort, together 
with a course of sprouts at college, did him good, for 
it seems that he returned home and assumed a high 
standing in the community. 



A Meteor 

While this was written to cover the special case of a 
rival young editor who was given to flowery flights of 
pen efforts, which flared up only to die out by their own 
light, yet it just as appropriately applies to many an- 
other like instance coming within the knowledge of the 
writer. 

56 



Notes 

The Little Pest 

Those who have not become familiar with the native 
sand-hill flea know not what comfort is until they have 
been besieged in company by three fleas, and finally 
get rid of them. Those are moments of rest and joy. 

Order, Arms 

On seeing a neglected soldiers' graveyard this was 
written to arouse respect for it — and in this instance it 
had the desired effect. 



THE 

END 



57 



TWENTIETH EDITION. 



SOME PUBLICATIONS OF THE 

May be obtained through any bookseller, 
or will be mailed postpaid, on receipt of the 
published price. 

A DESCRIPTIVE AND ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED LIST 

OF MINERALS, PRECIOUS AND OTHER STONES. By Felix 

J. Troughton. Twenty-five Cents. 
ADVERTISING AGENTS' DIRECTORY, THE. Cloth. One Dol- 
lar. (In preparation.) 
AFLOAT WITH OLD GLORY. By H. V. Warren. Cloth, 12mo. 

One Dollar. 
AMERICAN ELOQUENCE. A Selection of Orations. By Carlos 

Martyn. (In preparation.) 

AMERICAN WOMEN OF THE TIME. Revised to date and edited 

by Mr. Charles F. Rideal, Mrs. John King Van Rensselaer and 

Dr. Carlos Martyn. Cloth. $7.50. (In preparation.) 

ARICKAREE TREASURE, THE. By Albert G. Clarke, Jr. Cloth, 

12mo. One Dollar. 
AT THE TEMPLE GATES. By Stewart Doubleday. Cloth, 

12mo. One Dollar. 
AUNT LUCY'S CABIN. By June Kankakee. Cloth. Daintily 

produced. Fifty Cents. 
BALLADS OF BROTHERHOOD. By Alphonso Alva Hopkins. 

Cloth, small 12mo, 84 pages. Fifty Cents. 
BEAUTIFUL HAND OF THE DEVIL, THE. By Margaret Hob- 
son. Cloth, small 12mo. Fifty Cents. 
BIRDS UNCAGED AND OTHER POEMS. By Burton L. Collins. 

Cloth, 12mo. One Dollar. 
BITS OF SUNSHINE. By Clarence L. Miller. Cloth, 12mo. 

One Dollar. 
BOBTAIL DIXIE. By Abbie N. Smith. Cloth, 12mo. Illustrated. 

One Dollar. 
BOOK PUBLISHERS* DIRECTORY, THE. Cloth. One Dollar. 

(In preparation.) 
BRITANNIA; OR, THE WHITE QUEEN. By the Rev. South G. 

Preston. Cloth, 12mo. One Dollar. 
BY THEIR FRUITS. By Edith M. Nicholl. Cloth, 12mo. One 

Dollar. 
CANDLE LIGHT, A, AND OTHER POEMS. By Louis Smirnow. 

Illustrated. Cloth. One Dollar. 
CAT TALES IN VERSE. By Elliott Walker. Cloth, with cover 

designed by C. H. Rowe. Fifty Cents. 
CAVALIER POETS. By Clarence M. Lindsay. Cloth, small 12mo. 

Fifty Cents. 
CHARLES DICKENS' HEROINES AND WOMEN FOLK. By 

Charles F. Rideal. With two drawings by Florence Pash. 

Cloth. Fifty Cents. 
CHIEFS OF CAMBRIA, THE. By Morgan P. Jones. Cloth, 12mo, 

$1.25. 
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AND KINDRED SUPERSTITIONS. By the 

Rev. Charles F. Winbigler. Cloth, 12mo. One Dollar. 

ABBEY PRESS, 114 Fifth Ave., New York. 



SOME PUBLICATIONS OF THE 

CHRIST'S MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. By William M. 

Campbell. Cloth, 12mo, 170 pages. One Dollar. 
CITY BOYS' LIFE IN THE COUNTRY; OR, HOWARD AND 
WESTON AT BEDFORD. By Clinton Osgood Burling. Cloth, 
12mo. Illustrated. One Dollar. 
COALS OF FIRE. By M. Frances Hanford Delanoy. Cloth, 12mo. 

One Dollar. 
CONCHITA'S ANGELS. By Agnes Camplejohn Pritchard. Cloth, 

12mo, 216 pages. One Dollar. 
CONSPIRACY OF YESTERDAY, A. By Mical Ui Niall. Cloth, 

12mo, daintily produced, 75 pages. Fifty Cents. 
CONTINENTAL CAVALIER, A. By Kimball Scribner. Cloth, 

12mo. Illustrated, 258 pages. One Dollar. 
CORDELIA AND OTHER POEMS. By N. B. Ripley. Cloth, small 

12mo. Fifty Cents. 
COUNCIL OF THREE, THE. By Charles A. Seltzer. Cloth, 12mo, 

177 pages. One Dollar. 
COUNTRY STORE WINDOW, A. By Herbert Holmes. Cloth, 

12mo. One Dollar. 
CRICKET ON THE HEARTH, THE. By Charles Dickens. Fully 

Illustrated. Dainty edition. 12mo. One Dollar. 
CRIME OF CHRISTENDOM, THE. By Daniel Seelye Gregory, 

L.D., LL.D. Cloth, 12mo, 330 pages. $1-50. 
CROSS OF HONOR, THE. By Charles F. Rideal and C. Gordon 

Winter. Second Edition. One Dollar. 
CULTURE FROM READING. A book for everybody. By Albert 

R. Alexander. Twenty-five Cents. 
CUPID IN GRANDMA'S GARDEN. By Mrs. David 0. Paige. 

Illustrated. Fifty Cents. 
CURIOUS CASE OF GENERAL DELANEY SMYTHE, THE. By 

W. H. Gardner, Lieutenant-Colonel U. S. A. (retired). Cloth, 

12mo. Illustrated, 204 pages. One Dollar. 
DANGER SIGNALS FOR NEW CENTURY MANHOOD. By Ed- 
ward A. Tabor. 12mo, cloth bound, 316 pages. One Dollar. 
DAUGHTER OF THE PROPHETS, A. By Curtis Van Dyke. 

Cloth, l2mo. One Dollar. 
DAYS THAT ARE NO MORE, THE. By Elizabeth Bryant John- 
ston. Cloth, 12mo. One Dollar. 
DEFEATED, BUT VICTOR STILL. By William V. Lawrence. 

Cloth, 12mo, 424 pages. One Dollar. 
DEMOCRACY AND THE TRUSTS. By Edwin B. Jennings. 

Cloth, 65 pages. Fifty Cents. 
DEVIL'S DIARY, THE. By Louis M. Elshemus. Cloth, 12mo. 

One Dollar. Paper, Fifty Cents. 
DEVOUT BLUEBEARD, A. By Marie Graham. Cloth, 12mo, 300 

pages. One Dollar. 
DIABOLICAL IN SCRIPTURE AND IN HUMAN LIFE, THE. By 

Harold Stormbrow, D.D., LL.D. Cloth, 8vo, limited edition. 

Ten Dollars. (In preparation.) 

DID SHE FAIL? By Anna Fielding. Cloth, small 12mo, neatly 

bound. Fifty Cents. 
DIP IN THE POOL, A.— (Bethesda.) By Barnetta Brown. 

Cloth (Miniature), daintily produced. Twenty-five Cents. 
DIRECTORY OF MEDICAL WOMEN, THE. Cloth. $1.50. 

(In preparation.) 
DOCTOR JOSEPHINE. By Willis Barnes. Cloth, 12mo. One 

Dollar. 
DOCTRINES OF THE BOOK OF ACTS, THE. By G. L. Young. 

Cloth, 12mo. One Dollar. 

ABBEY PRESS, 114 Fifth Ave., New York. 



SOME PUBLICATIONS OF THE 



DOLINDA AND THE TWINS. By Dora Harvey Munyon, A.M. 
Cloth, 12mo. Illustrated. Seventy-five Cents. 

DOOMED TURK, THE; OR, THE END OF THE EASTERN QUES- 
TION. By E. Middleton. Cloth. Fifty Cents. 

EGYPTIAN RING, THE. By Nellie Tolman Sawyer. Cloth, 
small 12mo. Fifty Cents. 

EVERYDAY CHILDREN. By May C. Emmel. Cloth. Fifty 
Cents. 

EXPERIENCE. "How to Take It: How to Make It." By Bar- 
netta Brown. Cloth (Miniature), daintily produced. Twen- 
ty-five Cents. 

FEATHER'S WEIGHT, A. By Amarala Martin. Cloth, small 
12mo, 131 pages. Fifty Cents. 

FIGHTING AGAINST FATE. By Moses D. Morris. Cloth, 12mo, 
275 pages, with one hundred illustrations. One Dollar. 

FLOWER OF THE TROPICS, A, AND OTHER STORIES OF 
MEXICO AND THE BORDER. By Warner P. Sutton. Cloth, 
12mo, 121 pages, daintily printed and bound. One Dollar. 

FOOTSTEPS OF TRUTH. By I. M. Morris. Cloth, 12mo. One 
Dollar. 

FOUNDATION RITES. By Lewis Dayton Burdick. Cloth, 12mo. 
$1.50. 

FRENCH-ENGLISH AND ENGLISH-FRENCH PRONOUNCING 
DICTIONARY on the basis of Nugent, with many new words 
in general use exhibiting the pronunciation of all French words 
. in pure English sounds, and giving the parts of speech, and 
gender of French nouns. By a member of the University of 
Paris. Cloth, 734 pages. One Dollar. 

FROM CLOUDS TO SUNSHINE; OR, THE EVOLUTION OF A 
SOUL. By E. Thomas Kaven. Cloth, l2mo, 1S2 pages. One 
Dollar. 

FROM THE FOUR WINDS. By Warren B. Hutchinson. Cloth, 
small 12mo. Fifty Cents. 

GLEANINGS FROM NATURE. By Eva M. Carter. Cloth, 12mo. 
Illustrated. One Dollar. 

GLOBE MUTINY, THE. By William Lay, of Saybrook, Conn., 
and Cyrus M. Hussey, of Nantucket. Cloth, 12mo, 163 pages. 
Seventy-five Cents. 

"GOD AND THE CITY." By the Right Reverend Henry C. Pot- 
ter, Bishop of New York. Paper, Ten Cents. A daintily 
printed, cloth bound edition, Twenty-five Cents. 

GREAT BREAD TRUST, THE. By W. H. Wright. Cloth, Min- 
iature Serirs, 54 pages. Fiftv Cents. 

GREATEST THING IN THE WORLD, THE. By Henry Drum- 
mond. Cloth, with photograph and biographical sketch of the 
author. Fifty Cents. 

GREEN VALLEY. By T. P. BufOngton. Cloth, 12mo, 151 pages. 
One Dollar. 

GUMBO LILY, A. By Stella Gilman. Handsome Cloth, 12mo. 
Fifty Cents. 

HALF HOUR STORIES. By Dora Harvey Munyon, A.M. Cloth, 
12mo, 148 pages. One Dollar. 

HALLIE MARSHALL. A True Daughter of the South. By 
F. P. Williams. Cloth, 12mo. One Dollar. 

HANDFUL OF RHYMES, A. By Lischen M. Miller. Cloth, 
12mo. $1.50. 

HEALTH AND HYGIENE FOR THE HOUSEHOLD. By John 
Joseph Nutt. Cloth, Fifty Cents; paper, Twenty-five Cents. 

ABBEY PRESS, 114 Fifth Ave., New York 



SOME PUBLICATIONS OF THE 

HEART'S DESIRE, THE. "The Moth for the Star; The Night 

for the Morrow." By Barnetta Brown. Cloth (Miniature), 

daintily produced. Twenty-five Cents. 
HEROINE OF SANTIAGO, THE; OR, WHAT FOLLOWED THE 

SINKING OF THE MERRIMAO. (A sequel.) By Antoinette 

Sheppard. Cloth, 12mo. One Dollar. 
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, WOMAN. By Max O'Rell. Cloth, 12mo. 

One Dollar. 
HOCH DER KAISER. Myself und Gott. By A. McGregor Rose 

(A. M. R. Gordon). Fully illustrated by Jessie A. Walker. 

Second Edition. Cloth, 12mo. Fifty Cents. 
HOUSE OF A TRAITOR, THE. By Prosper Merrimee. With 

photograph and biographical sketch of the author. Cloth. 

Fifty Cents. 
HOW TO ENJOT MATRIMONY; OR, THE MONOGAMIC MAR- 

RIAGE LAW AMENDED BY TRIAL-EXPIRATION CLAUSE. 

By Rose Marie. Cloth. Twenty-five Cents. 
HOW TOMMY WAS CURED OF CRYING. By Gertrude Mitchell 

Waite. Cloth, fully illustrated and daintily produced. Fifty 

Cents. 
IN LOVE AND TRUTH. The Downfall of Samuel Seele, Healer. 

By Anita M. Mufioz. Cloth, 12mo. One Dollar. 

INTELLECTUAL PEOPLE. By William Adolphus Clark. Fourth 

Edition. Cloth, small 12mo, 97 pages. Fifty Cents. 
INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY OF AUTHORS, THE. With a 

full list of their works, dates of publication, etc. Compiled 

and edited by Charles F. Rideal and Carlos Martyn. Cloth. 

$7.50. (In preparation.) 

IRON HAND, THE. By Howard Dean. Cloth, 12mo. Illustrated. 

One Dollar. 
ITURBIDE, A SOLDIER OF MEXICO. By John Lewin McLeish. 

Cloth, 12mo. Illustrated. One Dollar. 
JEWELS OF PASTE. By Sue Edwards. Cloth, small 12mo. Fifty 

Cents. 
JONAS BRAND; OR, LIVING WITHIN THE LAW. By Jane 

Valentine. Cloth, 12mo, 263 pages. One Dollar. 
KEY-WORDS AND PHRASES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. By 

the Rev. South G. Preston. Cloth, 12mo. One Dollar. 
LADY OF MARK, THE. A Story of Frontier Experiences. By 

Sidney C. Kendall. Cloth, Fifty Cents. 
LADY VERE. By L. M. Elshemus. Cloth, small 12mo, 126 pages. 

One Dollar. 
LIFE'S SPRINGTDIE. By J. N. Fradenburgh. Cloth, 12mo. One 

Dollar. fc, 

LIKE THE LILIES. By Lucy Tracy. Daintily Produced. 

Twenty-five Cents. 
LIQUID FROM THE SUN'S RAYS. By Sue Greenleaf. Cloth, 

12mo. $1.50. 
LITERARY LIFE. (A monthly Illustrated Magazine.) Five Cents 

per copy or Fifty Cents per annum, mailed free. 
LITTLE COURT OF YESTERDAY, A. By Minnie Reid French. 

Cloth, 12mo, 232 pages. One Dollar. 
LITTLE CRUSADERS, THE. By Isabel Scott Stone. Cloth, 12mo. 

One Dollar. 
LITTLE SCARECROW, THE. By Maurua Jokai. Cloth. Fifty 

Cents. 

ABBEY PRESS, 114 Fifth Ave., New York. 



M»y-84 1901 



1901 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: Oct. 2009 

PreservationTechnologles 

A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION 

111 Thomson Park Drive 
Cranberry Township, PA 16066 
(724)779-2111 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



018 395 641 3 



